by Griff Hosker
"You did not have confidence in me?"
"You are a fine scout but even I thought it was too difficult a task. No, that is wrong, I thought it an impossible task. Your skill with words must have helped you."
I pointed upwards, "I think the Norns did more."
Just then we were interrupted. Nantes was a mile away from us. I saw four ships leave the shore. They were all smaller and slower than we were but just as small dogs can pull down a cow so they would do the same. The Jarl shouted, "All those without a bow, back to the oars. We will try to break through this wall of ships."
He did not need to give those of us with bows instructions. We would all aim at those steering the ships. Ulf nodded to my bow, "I shall have to get one of those. I have seen you use it before."
"It cost me hard earned gold but this raid showed its worth. Had I had another bow then I would be dead and the seven men I rescued would still be prisoners."
"Use your arrows well. You can use your weapon long before we do."
As I was at the prow I was the closest to the enemy. I could send an arrow over three hundred paces but that would not guarantee I hit the target. Sometimes, however, you could do as much damage by not hitting the target. Ulf nodded, "The nearest ship. See what you can do."
I pulled back and aimed just aft of the mast. The sail was furled and they were just using oar power. I released. I knew I would hit the ship, it just depended where. I watched it rise high and then arc. It was helped by the wind. It plunged down and must have hit someone for the ship turned slightly as though they feared more arrows cascading down. I quickly sent another arrow in their direction. This time my aim must have been guided by the gods for it struck someone close to the steering board. The ship made a deliberate move away from us.
"Well done, Hrolf!"
The oars were already run out and I felt the power as the wind, the current and Viking backs added to our speed. The other ships were now within range of our archers and emboldened by my success they sent flight after flight until their arms ached. It was not the fact that they hit men; our arrows only struck a few but it was the random nature of them which caused the problems. Those rowing had no protection and shafts struck indiscriminately. The rowers spent too much time looking up and not enough propelling the drekar.
One captain was bolder or perhaps luckier than the others for he managed to close with us. He made straight for our bow. Siggi White Hair began to sing at a faster beat.
A song of death to all its foes
The power of the raven grows and grows.
The power of the raven grows and grows.
The power of the raven grows and grows.
A song of death to all its foes
The power of the raven grows and grows.
The power of the raven grows and grows.
The power of the raven grows and grows.
A song of death to all its foes
The power of the raven grows and grows.
The power of the raven grows and grows.
The power of the raven grows and grows.
We seemed to surge through the water and I realised that the Frankish captain had misjudged his attack. I aimed at the helmsman on the steering board. If I hit him in the wrong place then the Frank would cross our bows and both ships would be sunk. He began to adjust the steering board when they were eighty paces from us. I loosed and hit him. I held my breath and only released it as he fell to his right and the bow of the ship turned away from us. When Ulf hit the captain then the heart went from them. They waved their fists at us as we headed towards the wider mouth of the estuary. Siggi White Hair and his chant had saved the day!
"In oars! Well done!" I could hear the pride in Sven's voice.
By the time the oars were stored we were in the choppy waters of the sea with the wind with us. We would not need to row again and the wind would take us to Raven Bay. We gathered around the mast as the Jarl questioned the survivors of his brother's drekar. I knew some of their story but that had been told from the Frankish viewpoint. It was Erik Long Hair who spoke. Perhaps he felt guilty as it had been his fight with Eystein One Eye which had helped to create the rift between brothers.
"We sailed at night and lay up during the day. It was just as we had done when we had sailed with you, Jarl. It meant we arrived at Andecavis in the middle of the night when they should have all been asleep. We headed for the gate but suddenly the gates opened and we were surrounded by armed men. They used crossbows from the walls and they surrounded us. We had no time to form a shield wall. When the Jarl was killed Sven Dragon Arm ordered us back to the drekar but it was too late. More men had come from the hill above the town while others came in boats from across the river. We fought hard and we slew many. Our swords broke and bent. We eight," he suddenly saw Thrand's body, "we seven and Thrand the Bold were overpowered. They wanted prisoners or so it seemed. I think some of our men got away. I did not see Sven Dragon Arm die but Hrolf here said that he saw his body."
I nodded, "I found it some way downstream. I thought he had been decapitated like the others but perhaps he died fighting. I would like to think so."
"Then we were stripped, bound and whipped. They made us mix concrete for their church and the lime burned our hands. We could not understand what they said to us. And then Hrolf came."
Everyone looked at me expectantly. "I was lucky." I saw Siggi White Hair and Arne Four Toes exchange a grin. "I happened upon Sven's body. I knew what that meant and I headed through the deep forests. I was able to travel unseen through them for few men used the trails that were there. I came upon bandits attacking some merchants. I was going to leave them and then I thought that this might have been put in my way by the Norns and I went to their aid."
Ulf asked, "How many bandits?"
"Seven, eight, nine? I cannot remember. I slew all but two; one was wounded and then they fled. In gratitude the merchant gave me a sword and a purse of coins. Most importantly he gave me the chance to enter the town without suspicion. I spied Erik and the others and I let them know I would help them to escape. I got a boat, rope, food and weapons. Then I used my bow to slay the Captain and two of the guards. Erik and the others killed the rest. We went to the boat and they sailed downstream."
The Jarl asked, "How did you get the boat, weapons and food? Did you steal them?"
"No, Jarl, I used the purse the merchant had given me. That is why the Weird Sisters sent the merchant my way. I did not have to steal them. I paid for them."
The Jarl shook his head as though he could not believe my words.
"And your escape?" Ulf Big Nose had a professional interest in this.
"I hid in the woods until they found me and then I swam the Liger. When they tried to cross I slew all but one and I took his horse. I fled down river and then I found the island."
The Jarl strode up to me and held me in his arms, "Once again we are in your debt; the crews of two drekar. You make me feel shame that I did not take my drekar to rescue them myself."
"It would have been a waste of men, Jarl. This was a task for one or two. I would not advise raiding the Liger again. I think it is cursed."
"You would not advise a vengeance raid?"
"They did what they did because we burned their abbey. Besides it is far upstream and I fear they will improve their defences even more."
"Perhaps you are right. Our raid yielded far more."
We were closing in with our home and men began to gather their belongings. I said to Siggi, "Why were you late?"
"The winds and there were ships watching in the estuary. We tried."
"I was not accusing you, Siggi White Hair. I was curious."
He shook his head, "If I had the words then I would make this into a saga. It is an act worthy of Freyj or Thor. I cannot believe that you are the same stripling who came to us all those years ago. I thought you were like a piece of straw and would break but you are not. You are like steel. Thank you for you have given the clan much honour with this ac
t."
To thank me for my efforts Sven and his ship's boys sailed me around to my bay so that I could land Dream Strider easily. I had few treasures to bring back but many memories. As I led my horse up the path to my home I knew that I had learned much. Ulf's lessons had been learned. I now knew how to change my appearance so that I could be invisible. That was magic.
Erik One Arm was at my home. He smiled when he saw me. "My wife baked some bread today using yeast from the beer. When she saw the drekar's sails she told me to fetch you a loaf. It is good bread."
"Thank you Erik." I opened my gate and let Dream Strider in the pen to see his mares. It was touching the way that they put their heads together. They were almost like a human family.
"We brought another barrel of ale the other day. It is a good brew."
"Thank you. How much do I owe you?"
He laughed, "Nothing. My wife has a soft spot for you Hrolf. She swears you are no Viking for you have manners, kindness and good looks! I think she is saying you are the opposite to me."
I disliked praise and I changed the topic, "How are the new slaves? Has there been any more trouble?"
"No but Seara says that Mary cries at night. None of the other slaves will talk to her and Seara is so deaf that she cannot keep up a conversation."
"Perhaps we should have left her. We rarely have an unhappy female slave."
"Aye well two pretty ones, Hildegard and Emma both have men taking an interest in them: Knut One Eye and Beorn Fast Feet. They seem happy enough." Not all of the crew had sailed. The drekar had not been expected to have to fight.
I could see now why this daughter of a noble was so unhappy. She had been the one who had everything and now she had nothing. Those who had nothing before now had happiness. Perhaps this was her God punishing her for pride. Aiden, back in Cyninges-tūn, had told me of the way the God of the White Christ punished men because of their nature. It did not seem fair to me. After Erik One Arm left me I went to the sea leading my three horses where I stripped off and swam. The three horses galloped in the shallows. Dream Strider rolled in the surf and Nipper raced around barking. It was the bark of joy and not warning. My family were content; I was home.
The next day I saddled my two mares and rode each around the island. It was important that they continued to be used to the saddle. Dream Strider, I allowed to rest. He rolled on the turf and chased Nipper. I know it was selfish but I did not want to go to the village. I wanted to be alone. That was one of the problems of what I had done. You began to prefer your own company. I knew I was luckier than most for I lacked for nothing. I stayed away for two days until Siggi White Hair and Arne Four Toes sought me out. It was getting towards noon and I had done all the jobs around my home that I needed and was preparing to go for another ride.
"Have we offended you, Hrolf the Horseman?"
"What do you mean, Siggi White Hair? No one has offended me."
"Then why do you stay alone? The Jarl wishes to honour you as do the men you rescued. Hiding away here is not the answer."
"Arne I was not hiding away. I ..."
"Then what were you doing?"
"I had my horses to see to and my home..."
"You are making excuses. We are taking you, by force if we need to, to the village. Two of the clan are to take women to their hearths and the Jarl is throwing a feast. It was supposed to be in your honour but if you are too good to join us then at least wish your shipmates good fortune."
"I am not too good!" I shook my head. I was getting nowhere. "I will feed my animals and then I will come."
The two of them helped me to fill the water trough and pen the chickens and the horses. With Nipper on duty they would be safe from vermin. With no foxes on the island rats were the only danger. I combed my hair and donned a clean kyrtle.
As we walked I asked, "Who is to take women?"
"Knut and Beorn. They have paid the Jarl their worth. There is just their homes to be built. Your hands will make the work go much faster."
When we reached the village I saw that the work on the two huts was half finished. The wooden posts were in and the dry stone walls laid. The men were putting the beams for the roofs while the women were cutting and laying the sods which would help hold up the walls. Arne waved a hand, "See we have left the easy task of clambering on the roof to lay the turf for you, Horseman!"
As we were seen a cheer went up. The men shouted good natured insults to me. That was to be expected and actually made me feel more comfortable. Knut One Eye walked over to me and clasped my arm, "I am happy you have come. You will bring us good luck and besides I have you to thank for my wife! Emma told me that you rejected her advances! A one eyed man cannot be as choosy. Your loss is my gain."
I saw that Emma was unabashed by the revelation. "I am happy for you, Knut, and now that the Eriksson brothers are husbands we will soon have more young warriors who do not know the word, caution!"
The warriors all laughed. The two brothers were renowned for their recklessness. It had cost Knut an eye.
Siggi White Hair shouted, "Come, we have the guest of honour now. The sooner we finish the sooner we feast! And I am too old to wait too long for food!"
When the clan worked together it was a thing to behold. All took part. There were no bystanders. Seara and the other older women fetched ale for those working. The other women and their children cut and brought turf to lay against the walls. Those men without skill carried the timbers for the roof while those like Ulf Big Nose and Rurik One Ear straddled the roof and hammered the long nails made by Bagsecg into the timbers. I was one who could both balance and hammer and I was soon into the rhythm of Rolf Arneson who helped me. The only one who was not working was Sigtrygg Red Hair who had been laid besides the fire. Even the Jarl and his hearth-weru worked.
I had to smile as I worked. If they had really needed me they would have fetched me earlier. We were finishing off the houses. It did not take long to finish the framework and then hazel was laid on the beams and the two of us laid the turf on the roof as the sods were passed to us. I clambered down the ladder and as Rolf joined me there was a collective cheer. The houses were finished.
The ceremony was a simple one. First a fire was laid in the middle of each hut and then Knut and Beorn took in a brand from the village fire. This burned all year round and was a symbol of life as well as a symbol of the clan.. They started their fires and stepped out. At first the fire would smoke but soon bright flames would appear. In that time the two men each went to the Jarl and handed over the price agreed. Then they went to their brides, picked them up and took them inside their huts. That was it. The ritual was a clan one. Until I had joined the clan I had never seen it done that way but I had been brought up in a Frankish village where the White Christ ruled. In Cyninges-tūn they had a similar ceremony but there was no price to be paid.
The departure of the two couples to their new homes was the signal for the feast to begin. Horns of ale were fetched and the women brought out wooden platters laden with food. If the weather had been foul we would have eaten in the Jarl's hall but the sun shone and the ground was dry. Our tables and chairs were crude things. There were roughly hewn logs nailed together and placed on stumps. The chairs were small versions. The children, and there were now an increasing number squatted on the ground. They did not mind the discomfort besides they were rarely still for long.
Usually men sat where they chose but this day I was guided by Siggi White Hair and Ulf to the Jarl's right hand. His hearth-weru were sent to the ends of the table. I had the place of honour. As we waited for the two couples to return Siggi rubbed his hands. "I am looking forward to this feast. It seems a long time since we celebrated the feast of Eostre."
Ulf used his horn to point to Siggi White Hair, "I fear the fare will not be as good as it might. There is precious little left to hunt on this island. The seas are filled but we have taken both the trees and the animals."
His words made me think and then to look around. He was righ
t. When we had first come the island had been largely covered with trees. Our buildings and the repairs to our drekar had taken many of the larger trees. There were saplings but if we took those for firewood or building then we would have nothing. They would need to be husbanded.
Siggi White Hair nodded, "You are right. Pig is good meat but it cannot compare to wild boar and a fine young doe is food the gods would relish. It is one of the things I miss about the Land of the Wolf."
The Jarl laughed, "You are getting soft, Siggi White Hair. When we lived on Ljoðhús it was seal or fish we ate!"
"You are right Jarl but we chose this place to live and it is a good one. Ulf is right. We need to do something about it."
"What do you suggest?"
His horn refilled and his platter filled Siggi said, "I will eat first and then think."
He set about his food like a wolf after a lean winter. He did not eat, he devoured. Ulf smiled. He and I ate slowly. "Tell me Hrolf how was the food in Andecavis?"
"It was different. They like their ducks and their beans. They use the spices from the east more. I liked it for it was different." I patted my stomach. "However it took some getting used to!"They all laughed. "I also found it hard to get used to drinking the wine. They water it but it goes to your head if you are not careful. Four or five horns leave a man unable to mount a horse. Beer and ale are safer."
Siggi White Hair had finished one platter and he wiped his greasy hands on his breeks. "The food has fed my mind. We should hunt on the mainland and use the trees there as we first did when we were repairing 'Raven's Wing'." He waved his horn to the north. "There are places on the coast where we can land and harvest the trees and the animals. We know of many places where there are no people."
I could see that the Jarl was dubious although the recent loss of his brother must have been on his mind too.
Sven the Helmsman had been listening. "I think that is a good idea, Jarl. Our drekar is not getting any younger. Had we hit those Frankish ships on the Liger then we would have had to repair the drekar. Where can we get the right wood if not on the mainland? We should have a store for it must be seasoned."